A/N - SURPRISE! It's EARLY!:D I didn't think I would be able to write it, post it and have it sealed and delivered for you all until either Sunday or Monday but... SURPRISE! You all deserve it, since you are all amazing readers!;) This chapter, took a slightly different turn then I expected, in a good way though. It has alot about the Harvest Festival, which I enjoyed imagining how I thought it would be. Also, I picked Prim's birthday to be what it is (you'll read and find out) for nothing in particular... I just thought Prim should be a teenager now;). It didn't pick up as much speed as I had hoped, but some the next chapter definitely will, several months to be exact. Also, I used the song "Do you hear the people sing?" From Les Miserable in this chapter and of course, rightful copyright goes to the rightful owners there;)
THANK YOU.. Firework7 (of course!), Ephesians613 (Love the name!), finewithnotbeingateennot and AbbyDaNinja for reviewing! I always get excited when I get to read a new review from my oh so wonderful readers! Firework7 - Thank you for answering the question. I had wanted to ask to see what everyone opinions were on it. It will be picking up speed though, I'm REALLY eger to get to the baby!:D finewithnotbeingateennot - Yes. I have several ideas but I'm not set on an exact name yet for the baby. I do know the official gender so that helps. You'll just have to wait and find out (the wait will NOT be too long now!) :D
So... I really hope you enjoy this chapter! Again, it went a little different then I had planned but I have to say it's one of my favorites, not my favorite but one of them. Oh.. I also want to give a HUGE shout out to my nearly 20,000 readers! 40 'Favorites' and 73 'Followers'! Those numbers have already exceeded "Finding The Time's" and that warms my heart! I really do have HUGE plans for the end of this story and the baby! I'm so excited for you all to read it. Chapter 28 will be up SATURDAY or SUNDAY (Not tomorrow's Saturday;). Anywho, Chapter 27 awaits you all! PLEASE leave some feedback through a REVIEW or even a private message to tell me what you think about this chapter. REVIEW! Much love.. S-O much love - Macayla
I unofficially call this Chapter: "Real Promises."
Ps and Pss - I have much bigger plans than what I have wrote on the Chpt. 28 Preview... it's going to be filled with alot of important, story changing stuff. AND I have BIG news! Stay on alert on the Facebook page!
I ignore the blistering cold breeze on my bare legs as the small nightgown and thin robe do little to conceal the cool weather. My burning hatred and anger is enough to wade it off for the moment though. I quickly make my way through the deserted Seam and into town, the far side, where a line of some of the nicest homes reside. Their no way near fancy, but the nicer than the Seam, much.
'I don't know why we tried this.'
The words of Gale pop into my head, making me stop in my tracks as the road that leads to Darius' home appears under my feet. Gale had yelled those words to me before slamming the front door in my face(That's when I went to my mothers). The words had instantly stricken me and still do. What did he mean by that? It's pretty obvious though, our marriage, being a couple. I thought he loved me?
A tear falls from my eye's and down my cheek as I mount the steps of Darius' front porch. There's not sound of creaking steps like our, my own home but instead steady, concrete steps. The white paint is chipping though. I wipe my tears from my cheeks and take a deep breath before knocking on his door several times. I knock loud, both that my hands are made into tight fists and the anger that's ever so evident inside of me burning. My other hand comes to rest on my abdomen.
No answer.
I knock again, this time loud enough that I'm sure his whole neighborhood heard it. It's not long before I hear coughs and feet from behind the door. The door suddenly swings open to a half awake Darius.
"What the hell-" He starts going off. "Oh, Katniss!" He immediately changes his tone from angered to utterly surprised. His bright red hair sticks up in every direction and his bright eyes become more alert when he notices it's me.
For a second, I'm confused at why Darius is surprised to see me. But I guess it's not every day a crying, teenage, pregnant Seam girl comes knocking on your door at two am in the morning. He begins to squint his eyebrows and I can tell his brain is still trying to wake from sleep. 'Why am I here?' I ask myself.
"What's next week?" I choke out.
XX
"Here." Darius says, wrapping yet another blanket around my body.
I sit on his couch, after he insisted I come in from the cold weather. He places what must be the fifth blanket around my shoulders but I'm already sweating from anger. I let him do it though, I don't want to upset him as I haven't gotten an answer yet to my question.
The home is quite comforting to my surprise. The house is filled with fading, bright colors. I particularly like the green on the walls, not that I'm into home décor? I sit on the couch in the living room that is off of the front door. The kitchen and dinning room is obstructed by a wall with an open doorway in the middle. It's small, and the large staircase seems to take up half the living room. I wonder to myself what the upstairs looks like? But I'm not here for that.
"What's next week?" I ask, sounding more persistent.
He seems to be scrambling through papers or books on the clear coffee table but doesn't answer my question. He finally gives up looking for whatever he was looking for and takes a seat on the couch next to me, on the opposite end.
"What's wrong, Katniss?" He asks me, lowering his voice to a softer tone.
"I'm asking you a question, Darius!" I start to raise my voice, slowing losing my ever so little patience.
"Is that why you're crying? Because he won't tell you?" He asks me, scooting a little closer as I feel another silent tear fall from my eyes.
I reply his question(s) again in my head. Why am I crying? I ask myself. Why? Yes, Darius is right. I am crying because he won't tell me but also how he treated me, and what he said.
'I don't know why we tried this.'
The words lodge in my brain, sending another silent tear down my cheek. Darius scoots closer yet again, our shoulders touching. I avoid his gaze and stare intently at the picture on the wall.
"Come on. You know you can talk to me." I hear Darius say softly through my haze.
Before I can stop myself, I spill and release all that was boiled up inside of me. Speaking on how Gale, indeed, won't tell me what's 'next week' and what Gale said to me. That he yelled and hesitantly pushed me aside, slamming the door in my face. At me last words, the words that keep lodging in my head I finally release all of my tears, weeping loudly. But I also finally feel a tremendous weight lifted off of my back, something my own mother didn't even do for me.
"It's okay." He speaks, gently pushing me towards him. My head quickly finds his chest where I continue to weep.
His arms that are wrapped around me are… different. There's no love, but it's comforting, calming and for the first time… peaceful. Maybe Gale didn't mean his words? Everyone knows in the District how quickly and easily Gale can get angered and loose his temper? Darius sits me up, wiping the tears on my cheeks away with his hand.
"Hey… everything's going to be ok." He speaks softly. "I'm sure he didn't mean what he said." His hand finds my hair, brushing away the lone strains that found themselves in my eyes.
"But why is he keeping this from me?" I feel myself sitting up straighter. "And you are too if you're not telling me!" I shout, sniffling the snot in my nose.
His appearance changes immediately and becomes even more softer, almost hollow. He undoes the one arm that was still around my and perches his elbows on his knees. He takes a deep loud breath.
"Do you every stop and think…" He begins. "That sometime's people hide things, for other people's own good?" He asks me, turning his gaze to me. He's waiting for an answer, and I'm having trouble finding one. He's not going to let me get away without answering though.
"Yes…no… I don't know Darius!" I answer, stuttering but finding myself hanging onto every ounce of Darius' words.
"Well…" He sighs loudly. "Sometimes Katniss, people do. It's not that it's bad, or that it's something the other person shouldn't know…" He speaks. "But sometimes, it's to protect both the feelings and the life of the ones they love."
I'm not sure how to process his words, of course I know what Darius means by this, and it's true. I understand but I'm not sure how this applies to this situation. What's going on that Gale is trying to protect me from? Protect our child from? Could it have anything to do with the Hunger Games? With the ever growing and increasing Airagusta threats?
"Katniss?" His voice breaks my haze again. When I look to meet his gaze, he laughs quickly. Not coldly, but briefly. "I know that I'm not Gale, or your mother, or Prim but… do you trust me?" He asks me.
I yet again re-ask his question in my head. Do I really trust Darius? I hear his light laugh again and when I do the answer surprisingly pops into my head without further questions. It's an honest answer though and it shocks me.
"Yes." I reply. A small smile appears on his face but my face remains straight.
"Then Katniss," He says, taking one of my hands into his. "You have to trust me that I can't answer your question right now." He squeezes it and I feel immediate comfort. I shake my head, but I still feel something… missing? Wrong? Hurting?
"But why did he say what he said?" I ask. "That we shouldn't have tried this?" Tears threaten to reappear but I hold them back.
"He's under stress Katniss." He says, but there's almost an… edge? in his voice. "If I were you…" He says through a long breath, releasing my hand and leaning back on the couch, resting his arms over the back of it. "I'd let something like that, from him, roll right off of your back." He says, yawning afterwards.
Darius is right, in a way but before I can answer or think about his answer more, he speaks again-
"You're too pretty to let him put that sad face on you." He adds, grinning afterwards. He sits up, perching his elbows on his knees again, staring at his hands but still grinning. "You need to march back in that home, show him that he can't bring you down." He speaks. He looks over to me and I find myself matching his grin but I'm not entirely sure why. "Now get the hell outta here before he finds out you're here. He'll kick my ass!"
I find myself laughing, accompanying my grin. Of course, Darius couldn't be serious for to long. I brush the blankets off of my shoulders and stand, wrapping my robe tighter around myself as I feel slightly exposed with my little clothing in front of Darius. I don't have time to register how this 'talk' now makes me feel quite yet.
"Thank you… for listening." I say, smiling instead of grinning. He smiles back, and I take that as my quoi to leave.
I begin walking to the door, taking one more sight in of the small picture hanging on the wall. My hand is on the door knob, turning it when he speaks again.
"Hey!" He shouts. I turn around to find him standing. "You know, if you ever need to talk like that again… I'm always here."
For the first time, the smile that appears on my face isn't forced, or put on by laughter or ridiculous antics but it's genuine, heartfelt.
"Thank you, Darius." I respond. He winks before he speaks his next words.
"Anytime."
XX
"Damnit!" I sigh and curse loudly at yet again dropping the berry on to the dirt filled, grassy ground I was trying to eat.
I sit outside in the front yard, letting the warm, Tuesday afternoon sun warm me up as I begin to work on Rory's bow and arrows. I ignore Gale as he returns home, entering the house. Returning from where? I do not know, nor do I care. It has been two weeks since my talk with Darius. That night, I marched back into our, my home to find Gale not there, but I kept my head held high and showed Gale that morning, when he returned home, that he wasn't going to stop me from being happy. We haven't said much to either in these long, two weeks, but both of our families know there's something going on. No one asks though, only my mother as she knows what's really been going on. People in the Hob have their speculations as we no longer go there together currently. Gale and Rory are the only ones that hunt right now, I don't for the fact of what Gale had said to me, about not going alone. I can't say I want to hunt with someone who won't even look at me for longer than five seconds. Gale is never home anymore anyway, but I let that worry 'roll right off of my back'. Remembering Darius' words.
Gale hasn't completely ignored me though, when I nearly tripped yesterday morning coming down the stairs, it was his arms that caught me. Although the 'Are you okay?' and 'You're welcome' were both cold. He asks me about the baby at least once a day, or every other day. But I wish we would make up, that Gale would apologize and speak that he didn't mean his words, that he didn't mean to yell in my face and slam the door.
I want my husband back.
I miss his arms around me, his comforting words when I wake from a nightmare or after a long morning at work. His soft, warm kisses on my neck. It's simple…
I want my husband back.
I want my husband back for the fact of going through this pregnancy with him. I'm fifteen weeks in now… and it's been hell these few days.
I constantly and continuously drop and nearly trip over anything and everything. My mother says with the growing bump that my center of balance is thrown off, and I'm retaining water, which explains my slippery fingers. I'm also realizing I'm easily forgetting some things, like the Capitol Visit meeting for Prim yesterday. Thankfully she remembered. I answered to her about it with a 'No', but I'm finding myself rethinking the situation strangely. I make a mental note to visit and ask Darius about it… if I can remember?
I shake my head of my thoughts and reposition myself on the ground. The baby bump has grown indeed. Not much, but it's noticeable without any of my coats on. The tight fitted tank top and jeans I currently have on clearly show the rise on my stomach. I like it though, but I wonder what Madge will think whenever I see her?
I shake my head yet again of my thoughts, beginning to carefully carve the wood with the short, sharp knife. My loose hair gets into my face but I ignore it, finding the job a bit comforting. I'm nearly done with carving the delicate notch at the center of the wood when my finger slips, driving the extremely sharp knife point directly into it. I scream in pain and the smell and sight of blood immediately appears. I drop both the knife and wood when I hear the front door open frantically and my name being called. The pain is almost blinding and I wonder how from a stab wound to my finger.
"Katniss!?" Someone says behind me and the voice easily belongs to Gale.
He crotches down on my level in front of me as I watch pool after pool of blood flow from the tip and side of my index finger. It stains my jeans and grass. I yelp in pain as Gale takes my hand, with the finger into his own hand, examining the wound.
"What happened?" He asks me softly, staring at the open, bleeding, pussy wound. I yelp in pain again before answering.
"Knife." I say through a ragged breath, indicating to it with my head. He looks at it, then back to me.
"It looks like it reached the bone." He says, turning his attention back to my finger. "I'm going to get your mom." He says, starting to help me stand.
"No." I speak quickly as I stand with a steady arm around my waist. "She's…. at… Robertson's. Across town." I stutter some at the pure sight of blood continuously dripping from my hand now and landing on the ground.
Gale gently leads me into the home as I scream painfully, shutting the door behind us and leading me to the kitchen sink. I put my hands over it, yelping, letting it stain the sink red quickly. Gale begins to leave me and mounts the stairs quickly. I instantly want him to come back as the pain grows more and more intense. I begin to think is this what labor will feel like? No, it can't be this bad. I scream again as I feel Gale's steady hand at the center of my back. He holds something white in his hands and I know what he is doing. He takes my finger in his grip, getting hearty feedback from me-
"Damnit Gale! It's hurts!" I shout through completely gritted teeth. It's been a long time since I've experienced pain like this… and I'm normally alright with pain.
"I'm sorry, Katniss." He says softly, unwrapping the white linen. "We have to stop the bleeding, you'll losing a lot of blood from just your finger." He explains, gently beginning to wrap it.
I bite my bottom lip and let out a slight gasp as the pain hits and the sight of the white cloth becoming instantly red. I look to Gale and hurting and pain registers in his eyes. He's not enjoying putting me through this pain and I feel comfort by that.
After several minutes of wrapping and wrapping, very slight blood appears on the cloth. Gale begins to speak that I may have cut open a vain as he sits me on the couch in the living room. He gives me what little pain medicine we have left with a glass of water, and it immediately kicks in, relieving much of the pain. Gale takes the seat next to my on the couch, but it's surprisingly not silent.
"Did your finger slip?" He asks me, still softly and eyeing me intently. I shake my head 'yes'. "You have to be careful, Katniss." He speaks, again, sounding softer and calmly as ever.
"I went to Darius'." I blurt out, looking over at him and letting the words slip before I could even stop them. "The night that we fought."
His eyebrows raise and his expression immediately changes. I'm not sure to what though? Shock? It looks to be a bit of that. Worry? Most likely that too. My other hand comes to rest on my bump and so does my eyes. I don't really have a clue why I'm speaking of this out of the pure blue. Maybe that I'm tired of us ignoring each other?
"I'm not mad at you." I let out, moving my gaze to his heavy one. "You just hurt me. With your words."
"Katniss…" He begins, scooting closer to the edge of the couch and dropping his hand to my leg, close to my bump. "I did not mean a word that I said! I love you so much Katniss." He says, scooting even closer to me.
A silent tear falls from my eyes and I'm confused at what feelings and emotions I currently have.
"I love you, Katniss." He repeats, wrapping his arms around my waist and laying his head gently on top of the small but there bump.
It's the first time Gale has ever done something so sweet and genuine like this to the bump besides touching it. And it's at this touch and gesture that I realize I do forgive and believe Gale, that I know he didn't mean those words. Don't we all loose our temper and say and do things we later regret, and realize were wrong and untruthful? I know I have, even to Prim but especially my mother. It's at Gale's next words that make me smile with joy-
"I love this little one, too."
XX
"Wake up! Happy Birthday!"
A mixture of Gale's voice, my own voice, my mothers voice and of course the boys, Rhoda and Mrs. Hazel fill Prim's bedroom early on this Saturday morning. Gale holds my hand carefully as my finger is still extremely sore. Another two weeks have passed and the ending of October is coming, which means Prim's birthday is today. We always celebrate my means of the Harvest Festival, which always seems to be on her birthday. I give a quick kiss and a 'Happy Birthday' to Prim before giving quick kiss to Gale too. I make my way out of the crowded bedroom and into the living room where my dark brown hunting boots wait, Gale follows me.
Our marriage has been… 'back on track' since we have made up two weeks ago after I stabbed my finger. It hasn't been easy, but it's been alright. He's happy. I'm happy, so were good.
I bend down to retrieve my boots right as I feel my inner muscles clinch up tightly, causing a gasp from me. Gale's arms are quickly on my back, helping me stand straight. Last week I nearly fainted when I first felt this odd feeling and I was at work… alone, I was sixteen weeks in and my mother explained that they were normal, it was called something but I can never remember. Their pretty much practice contractions and I hate them. Their not painful, just highly uncomfortable. Especially at night time.
Gale helps me walk around the room as I wait for it to fade away. I'm able to stand them now with deep breaths and Gale arms around me, differing from the crying and 'freaking out' attitude I had with them last week. I have just entered my seventeen week the other day, and it's been pretty good expect for the bump and full breast. My clothes are harder and harder to get into and I find myself either not buttoning my pants are wearing them low. The bump has grown just slightly.
"What time do you have to be at the school?" Gale asks me through my haze. I stand up straighter, leaving my hand on my bump and resting my others on top of Gale's the reside at the bottom of my back. I sigh before I answer.
"Ten minutes." I answer, judging my the sunlight coming in through the opened living room window.
The Harvest Festival is today, which means the children will be performing some of their songs they have learned. I sigh again as I realize this responsibility. We have been practicing the songs none-stop for the past two or three months but the children are nervous, including myself. Thank God for Mrs. Mildred though, who seems to keep us on track and excited for this event today.
But I'm also nervous about something else. My tight fitted, mid-sleeve white shirt clearly shows off the small bump and I know I'll be seeing people who might not know today. At school, my students should I say, do not know about the baby as I've been careful to hide it with oversized shirts and coats. And I know I'll see Madge today. I clear my head and turn my attention back to Gale right as he answers.
"Well, better get going." He says. "Do you want me to walk over with you? I don't mind?" He asks, being mindful of both how nervous I am and obviously my safety with the baby. I sit on the couch, beginning to lace up my dark brown hunting boots.
"No, I'll be fine." I answer with a smile.
I gather Prim, Rhoda and the boys before making my way to the school, with them in toe. The Harvest Festival doesn't start (officially) until twelve but the children (and myself of course) must be at the school early to prepare and practice. I walk fast, realizing I'm running late, and loosen the orange scarf my mother wrapped around my neck before I left. It's cute, but I hate it. I let it be though, knowing it was a silent 'good luck' from my mother.
We walk through the buzzing town that's preparing for the days event. Vendors are setting up their booths of Harvest items, some even food that either doesn't taste good, or that no one can afford. I like going around the booths though, looking at the knitted items and projects of others, looking at the delicate wood carvings this one man makes every year. My favorite part though, I would have to admit, is the dancing (and music). It's the only time of the year that almost everyone in the District wears some type of smile. The dancing is lighthearted and fun, always consisting of picking a partner to only switch off to another partner, usually a stranger, or even dancing in large groups, sometimes in a line and doing weird things with your feet to the beat of the music. I've always loved the music. Normally, a group of older men who play instruments they made out of glass bottles, ruined kitchen utensils, tin cans and lids or even things they have made from wood. The music is always fast and upbeat, always making you clap your hands and shout at odd times in certain parts of the rhythm. They always though, every year, play a 'slow song/beat', designed and named 'the couples dance'. Prim, I, and my mother always stood and watched, including Gale and his family. But I guess this year will be different… for Gale and I?
I make my way into the school, to which Prim takes off running down the hallway, of course Rhoda and the boys follow. Hazel says Rhoda has been doing 'amazingly well'. She doesn't tell me anymore, and I can't say I have asked. I clear my thoughts and make my way into the buzzing, loud and cramped music room to find Mrs. Mildred, perched on a chair, trying to get the children's attention. The oldest children didn't want to participate, so it's only the students from thirteen to five who are filling the room. The scene is pure chaotic and I know that I do not have patience for it. The older children are climbing each other or talking to each other in large groups. The younger children are chasing each other all over the room, shouting and yelling. As one of the five year olds, run past me to chase his friend, I can't help but wonder if Gale and I's life is going to be chaotic like this, our little child running around on her or his chubby legs.
The thought makes me cringe.
"Hey!" I shout, loudly, but not loud enough. I get Mrs. Mildred's attention though.
She hops off the chair, making her way quickly to me. I take in her sight, realizing that her, and nearly all the children where Harvest colors. Mixes of browns, blacks, yellows, oranges and whites. I'm silently grateful for my white shirt and orange scarf. Mrs. Mildred smiles at my appearance, most likely silently grateful I didn't come in wearing a bright pink or blue. She see's the bump, but doesn't say anything. She already knows.
After nearly ten minutes, we finally get the children to settle down and begin practicing the two songs. After an hour goes by, the children have practiced well. We go over where we will be singing on the make shift stage in the middle of the square and how to exit it and when we will be performing. They do well, and I grateful for their attention. Finally, from the large windows, we begin to see people pour into the town and square, ready for today's event. I make sure the children know to meet at the stage at one sharp and I find myself silently praying, that all seventy children remember.
I make my way quickly out of the room, out of the school and into the buzzing streets. Music from the men is already playing from the large, makeshift stage they set up in the dead center of the town. A large section is designated off, resulting in the 'dance floor' or where people can stand to watch the men, or others perform. It's an old custom, that people with any musical abilities get on the stage and either sing or play one of the odd instruments. I use to sing, with my father every year.
Everywhere else lies booths of vendors and people trading. The vendors seem to be more generous during the Festival, willing to trade a rotting apple for a knitted cloth or two. I quickly find Gale in the mass, growing crowds. Our mothers are behind him, but they quickly go off, doing their own things. So does the kids that were behind me.
"Just you and me, I guess?" Gale says, taking my hand in his as more and more people flood the square. The music picks up too.
"I'm not complaining." I say, standing on my tip toes to reach Gale's lips. He replies matter-of-factly…
"Me either."
We slowly make our rounds to the booths. Looking at the delicate flower arrangements one woman makes with beautiful flowers from her garden. There's not many bright colors in the District, expect in these kinds of flowers. Their bright yellows, pinks, blues and purples feel me with warmth. While I have my back turned examining a rose bud, I know what Gale is doing behind my back. Before I can stop him, he's already traded a coin for a beautiful daisy. He places it in the middle of my braid. Women in the District never gets flowers, my father would though, he would sometimes bring the wild dandelions that grow in the meadow home to my mother. I smile, giving Gale another long, drawn out kiss until the woman behind her booth clearers her throat. We laugh and make our way around more.
We haven't made it even halfway through before I know I must be heading to the stage, preparing the children for their musical number. The whole District is on edge and overly excited for District 12's Community School's music program to be showing off their talents. My name has been spread around the whole District, as I am the official music teacher… but I don't like attention and the new looks from strangers.
Half an hour later, the children are all standing correctly on stage. Several of the little five year olds laugh and poke the child next to them. I ignore it as I mount the stage, ignoring the crowd of what must be hundreds gathered and packed into the large, square opening to here District 12's children sing for the first time in nearly two decades. It's a big deal, and been rumored that it's made news to the Capitol, but I doubt it. The Capitol cares less about any District rather than one, two or four. But especially not Panem's laughing stoke, Twelve. I begin to feel overwhelmed as I place the crumbled music sheet on the rusted stand, turning my back to the intimidating crowd. I spot the daisy out of the corner of my eye, that still resides in my braid and rethink of Gale's comforting words before I departed for this….
"You'll do fine. They'll do fine. If you're anything like your father, you'll blow this whole damn District out of the waters."
With that, I smile and give the signal with my hands for the children's full attention. They stand straighter and some clear their throats in preparation. I give my head a nod, and they children begin to sing…..
XX
It starts quite, as it's supposed to. Light and distant, climbing with anticipation with the next verse… then higher. Finally, as the last stanza of the chorus, the singing ring's out loud, filling the whole District with their innocent voices-
'Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?It is the music of a people Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start When tomorrow comes!'
With that, the crowd roars into applause.
I was weary about using this old song my father had taught me. The song was from our ancestors, before Panem. No one in our time knows exactly how it originated, or why. But a lot people believe it may have been some war that invented the song, others believe it may have just been a song? Harmless and innocent, despite the hard packed words. But I was scared to use the song as well. People takes the words of 'not be slaves again' as a metaphor for the Hunger Games. I had always thought, that if the Hunger Games do ever end, and were free from their wrath, that should be our new anthem.
It's only wishful thinking?
XX
"That was amazing!", "Oh, that was wonderful!", "Beautiful, dear, beautiful!".
I exit the stage, in search of Gale. I find him but I'm interrupted by several people, a growing crowd. Enveloping me in hugs and kind words. Their nice, and kind but again… I don't like attention… especially when several, most of the people notice the rise on my abdomen. I start to become frustrated when they begin asking questions and questions about the baby, that I can't answer-
"Is it a boy? A girl?", "When's your due date?", "Do you have a name?".
Even though the small crowd around me has nearly depleted, I find myself near a breakdown. Gale steps in, right on time. He wraps an arm around me-
"We don't know yet." He answers the first question. He must have heard all of the questions because he continues. "The baby is due in April. No, we don't have a name."
It's on this moment that I sigh of relief, I haven't quite grasped the idea of people wondering about the baby, other than our families. The crowd, which happened to be all woman, get the hint of my unease. They all smile, almost sympathetically and carry on. I turn around, being faced to face with Gale. He speaks through a grin
"Well, well, well. Mrs. Popular."
XX
The afternoon begins to slowly carry on, and I can admit that I'm enjoying myself more than I have in a long time. The weight and realization of the baby seem to fade for the moment and I enjoy the time with my husband. We keep a careful eye on the time though, have been asked for everyone in the District to gather back up at three sharp. I'm not sure why, but it was Mayor's order.
I feel Gale squeeze my hand as we meet back up with our mothers and the kids. Prim is bubbled with excitement, as well as everyone else. I put my arm around her as we walk, asking her how her birthday is going so far. She replies confidently, with the biggest smile written across her face-
"That best it's been in a long time, Katniss."
We continue weaving in and our of the vendors, looking at the flowers again, the beautiful wood carvings from Mr. Kip, the gorgeous knitted blankets from Ms. Crothers. We stop and get some of Greasy Sae's soup from her booth before continuing on again. I'm looking forward to the dancing that seems to pick up in the evening.
Gale and I have mistakenly managed to loose our mothers and most of the kids. Only Posy is with us (perched on Gale's shoulders) as we look at a booth filled with sewed things… baby things. I honestly can't help the smile that appears as Gale picks up a cute, yellow baby top. Posy lets out a huff from his shoulders when she see's it.
"It's so small though." She speaks, her voice low and her eyebrows ceased. Gale looks up from the little shirt, tilting his head up to look at her.
"It's supposed to be. The baby will be small when she gets here." He answers, smiling. My own smile widens as I watch this sweet moment unfold between Gale and his little sister.
The sweet moment though quickly changes sour. I let out a loud, uncontrollable gasp as I feel something… in my stomach. Both of my hands immediately fly to my bump. It's not one of those practice contractions as it doesn't last, it's only a split second. Gale throws the shirt down and quickly swings Posy to the ground, she lands with a loud 'plop' on the floor. He reads my panicked expression and both of his hands rest over my own on the very small bump.
"What is it Katniss!? What's wrong!?" He asks me frantically. Searching my whole body with his eyes, especially my own eyes.
"I… I don't know Gale." I say. I'm in absolutely no pain, and it's almost like it didn't happen. It felt… weird though.
"Wha-" Gale is utterly confused.
"I was standing here." I begin, realizing I'm a bit scared but I have to tell Gale what I felt. "And… I don't know. I felt something… a…tickling feeling where the baby is." I explain, trying to find the words to describe the strange feeling.
The realization of what it most likely was must hit my just a second before Gale. He starts to grin, wider and wider but my face stays flat.
"Katniss…" He starts softly. "It was the baby." His grin grows wider. "She was moving."
That's when I start to cry.
XX
Gale quickly leads me to one of the rusted, metal benches that line the District square. Posy follows, twiddling with the yarn hair on her doll my mother made for her last year. Gale sits me on the bench, crouching down in front of me as I cry loudly. He takes both of my hands into his, being mindful of my healing finger.
"Katniss, talk to me." He says softly. The upbeat, happy music flowing from the middle of the square, and the feeling of Posy's warmth next to me on the bench do nothing to calm me. Why am I crying? I ask myself. Gale repeats himself again and I feel Posy's head rest on my shoulder.
"I'm scared, Gale." I let our through a sob. "It's real."
That was it. That's why I'm crying. Gale laughs. Not coldly, but sweetly.
"Of course it is, babe." He says through a grin. "It is real." His words do nothing to comfort me and I realize my problem is bigger.
"But it's real." I repeat. "It's a baby. It's a human inside of me." I add, but I realize I'm not done speaking, yet. "It's a child, Gale!"
At the word 'child' the Games immediately surface in my head. Anyone in Panem could relate to that (that's not from the Capitol). Gale doesn't need me to explain anymore… I'm an open book to him. Even if I try not to be.
"I know, Catnip." He speaks, rubbing my hands with his thumbs. "But I promise, Katniss, I will never, ever let the Capitol take our child away from us. Ever!"
The hug and kiss that follows stops my crying. I realize in this moment, with Gale's arms tightly around me, Posy's little arms added in, that I understand the true meaning of Moving On. It's more than just words, or saying it to yourself, or even someone else. The hard part is actually doing it. It's not easy… but who said life was easy? No one. Gale stands, helps me stand and swings Posy on his hip which gets a fit of giggles from her.
"I think it's almost three." He says, remembering the District's order.
"Yeah," I reply, gazing at the sun. "I think so."
We walk hand in hand back to the middle of the square where already, a large, steady amount of people are already loosely gathering. I let my eyes dart around, in search of our mothers and the kids. I find someone that I know, but it's not my mother, or Mrs. Hazel, or Prim-
My heart immediately sinks when I realize who it is…..
Chapter 28 Preview: What will Katniss think of when she see's this person? Will old memories strike her? What will happen when this 'person' asks for a favor beyond Katniss' comfort zone? Will she accept, realizing there's no option? What will she have to say to Madge as she spots her eyeing the 'bump'? What will begin to take place as winter comes and settles in? Leaving the woods cold and dry. What will happen when Katniss feels the baby kick again? Will she cry or learn to smile and enjoy the moment with her child? What will happen when Prim's school visit to the Capitol gets moved up? Will she let Prim go or will she get thrown into the mix? And what will Darius do that could change Katniss forever? Only time will tell... find out Saturday!